Could make Armstrong seem like an angel

[mrcharly-YHT]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/35319202
Tennis tournaments, including Grand Slam events, with players throwing matches to rig betting.

[Cudzoziemiec]

Similar is known to have happened in cricket, so wouldn't be surprising at all.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

I saw a Tweet this morning along the lines of "We cyclists have been waiting 20 years for you to join us"

[LEE]

It won't change my opinion of Armstrong. 

Basically it's tennis so any scandal simply moves it closer to being of any interest to me.

Where money is involved cheating is going on.

[Peter]

I think that, every time I pick up my salary slip.

[LEE]

I think that, every time I pick up my salary slip.

Peter?  Peter Sampras?

[ElyDave]

Just tennis catching up. When there's that much money involved I'm not surprised.

You can understand some of the past arguments for amateurism, apart from them disenfranchising large parts of the talent pool

EDIT and I still think Armstrong's a ****

[mike]

I don't think amateurism would change anything, because the people getting richest are the bookmakers, and they'll arrange a market for anything. A friend who knows a lot more than she tells about the politics behind sport says there are similar mutterings from within several other olympic sports.

Anything with a live internet audience can be bet on, and anything that can be bet on is probably under pressure from people who want to make sure they win.  Depressing stuff.

[madcow]

I think the press release is a warning to those who are thinking of throwing the odd set or two to be careful.
The problem is not the amounts of money swilling around the betting world per se , but the multitude of options that it is possible to take a punt on. In tennis the betting could be on games or sets won or lost , the number of first services , second services , backhands , lobs etc. You can bet on someone losing , which has to be wrong. It's a lot easier to lose than to win.
The betting industry can pool info to look for waves of betting that don't fit the norms(e.g when everyone and his wife  lumps money on A.P McCoy, but half of Singapore is betting on some 3rd Cat jockey in a Filly's race at Chepstow.)

So we have to accept that someone , somewhere will get away with it and sport will be lose a few fans but in general the majority will still believe. Look how many stuck with the TDF even though Armstrong had been outed.

[Cudzoziemiec]

For context, look at the number of football clubs sponsored by betting firms.

[Dibdib]

While I'm completely unsurprised that there are some bad eggs in tennis (and all sports), until we see something substantially more concrete my attitude is still largely pics names or gtfo.

[Jaded]

The story seems to be that players are losing matches to make a little money, rather than trying to win unfairly through drugs. Armstrong won't ever look like an angel.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

The story seems to be that players are losing matches to make a little money, rather than trying to win unfairly through drugs. <SNIP>

That is the story now but there weren't only cyclists involved in Operation Puerto. Tennis and football, amongst other sports.

[Thor]

Armstrong won't ever look like an angel.

[Cudzoziemiec]

Andy Murray: “I think it’s a little bit hypocritical, really. I don’t believe the players are allowed to be sponsored by betting companies but then the tournaments are. I don’t really understand how it all works. I think it’s a bit strange.”

[mrcharly-YHT]

While I'm completely unsurprised that there are some bad eggs in tennis (and all sports), until we see something substantially more concrete my attitude is still largely pics names or gtfo.

Daniel Koellerer

Banned for life - he admitted to being approached but denied throwing the match.

[mattc]

Full details (including names) on radio4 right now.